Insurance and Communications

What to Do After a Hit-and-Run Accident

Published 2026-08-20 • Updated 2026-08-28 • Reviewed by 365 DataSolutions Content Review

This article is general information only. It is not legal advice, and reading it does not create an attorney-client relationship.

When the other driver leaves, the practical priority becomes reporting and preserving whatever evidence exists. This page is general information, not legal advice.

At the scene

• Write down anything you remember about the vehicle: color, make, partial plate, damage, direction of travel
• Call police and ask that a report be created
• Photograph your vehicle, debris, paint transfer, and the surrounding area
• Ask nearby businesses and residents whether a camera faces the street

Reporting matters more than usual

In a hit-and-run there is no other driver's insurer to contact, so the police report and your prompt notice to your own insurer are often the main record of what happened.

Uninsured motorist coverage

Many people ask whether their own uninsured motorist coverage applies when the driver is never identified. Whether it does depends on the policy language and the facts, and policies commonly include reporting deadlines.

If injuries are involved

Adrenaline at the scene can mask symptoms. People frequently get evaluated the same day so the injury is documented close to the date of the crash.

If you want attorney contact

If you were injured in Illinois and are not already represented, you can request contact from a participating attorney who handles motor-vehicle accident matters.